Payback

While Ganondorf didn't express any desire to marry me, or in any way discuss any less than evil feelings he might have had, we did have a lengthy conversation about the best way to humiliate Nabooru in front of all the Gerudo.

The two Gerudo still alive from attacking me in the hall accompanied Ganondorf and I back to the celebration that was being carried on right in the center of our little village. The fortress was obviously our home base, as it provided the most protection from the elements, but there were still other homes directly across from it that made up the Gerudo Valley. A gate blocked off the entrance to the wasteland, another was at the entrance to the village, and one more at the back to where the horses and training equipment was kept.

A fire burned wildly at the top of the decaying steps between the fortress and the cramped homes, and was large enough to chase off the desert's nighttime frost. The children and elderly were in bed, but the rest of them were so full of ale that they had their own fires burning in their belly to keep them warm.

Ganondorf and I stood atop the fortress, watching the others enjoy themselves. They were hopeful for the changes to come. It was our real first king and queen moment, watching over our people like guardians. I was filled with such anticipation though, and the only thought in my mind was revenge for all the years of torment, all the discrimination. I would finally be getting the payback I deserved.

The laughing and yelling from below didn't distract me from hearing Nabooru approach. I struggled not to turn on her right then. I had to be patient, to watch her face as Ganondorf humiliated her.

She stopped beside him. I saw her eyes widen, then narrow at me from my peripheral. The only thing she had to fear were the shackles dangling from my fingers.

"What is she doing here?"

"She has earned the privilege to stand at my side," he countered darkly. "Nabooru, I was under the impression we had agreed that you would make no decisions without consulting me first."

I grinned. It was too funny to see her in deep trouble, especially because of me.

"Of course, my love. I would never do anything without receiving your permission first," she cooed. Oh, it was disgusting! She pressed her body against his arm while taking his fingers in her hand.

Ganondorf ripped his hand away and clenched it into a fist. "Then I'm sure you can explain why these two confessed they were under your orders to kill Ganondora," he yelled, waving toward the future Iron Knuckles. Nabooru recoiled.

"I know of several Gerudo who are very loyal to me, but I would never have instructed them to do something that is against your wishes, my king. We should discuss this somewhere privately."

"You're lying," he said, eerily calm, but dignified.

"What?" she hissed. "Why would you accuse me of such a thing?"

"I applaud your effort to keep me ignorant. At first, you had my immature mind blinded by your willingness to satisfy my teenage urges. You've done a great amount of work to convince my people that I am some monster that cursed their home, and that you can save them."

Her face expressed sincere emotional hurt. "Ganondorf, you're upsetting me. What are you talking about? I don't understand. I just want to serve you as a faithful queen."

I noticed a handful of Gerudo intently watching us, with their mugs in hand and standing far back toward the doorways to the fortress. That was good, because they needed to witness everything that was about to happen. I hoped a larger crowd would form.

"Queen?" he repeated, and laughed wickedly. "You truly believed I would make a useless woman like you equal to me? A queen needs to be loyal, respected, and strong. You are none of these. Believe me when I say I enjoyed the distractions you offered, until now, when you kept me occupied so that you could hire weaklings to kill my general, instead of doing it yourself. You are no queen, nor Gerudo, and you are no longer needed here."

"You're joking," she said, starting to show anger. "You can't seriously believe her over me," she yelled, and gestured toward me. "She's never done anything for you!"

"You see, that's the problem," he explained and crossed his arms over his great chest. "Ganondora has done more for me. She has shown true loyalty and dedication, led the Gerudo to provide for their families. You've been so wrapped up in yourself, that you don't realize how far you've fallen!"

I watched panic dominate her expression. I was so glad he said everything I was thinking, and he said it in a way that made her look as small as a mouse. The number of witnesses began to grow, because their voices carried far over the grounds. It became quieter, and they slowly made their way to the top of the fortress as an audience to the spectacle.

And my fun wasn't over yet.